Method and device for analyzing data

ABSTRACT

A method and a device for analyzing data are provided. The method includes following steps. A plurality of queries for an event stored in a database are integrated to obtain a plurality of features. Each feature is limited at a searching condition. A plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature. Whether a data volume of the searched data is higher or lower than a predetermined range is determined. If the data volume is higher than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is reduced according to the features. If the data volume is lower than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is increased according to the features. A correlation between the features and the event is analyzed according to the searched data.

This application claims the benefit of Taiwan application Serial No. 104131381, filed Sep. 23, 2015, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The disclosure relates in general to a method and a device for analyzing data.

BACKGROUND

Along with the development in information technology, various industries such as cloud computing and e-commerce are developed. These industries normally involve the analysis of megadata and need to perform data sensor mining to find out major factors affecting a particular event. The analysis of megadata is a big challenge to the industries. The system needs to search various features and obtain a large volume of data for analysis. However, such method is inefficient and causes a great burden to the system.

SUMMARY

The disclosure is directed to a method and a device for analyzing data.

According to one embodiment, a method for analyzing data is provided. The method includes the following steps. A plurality of queries for an event stored in a database are integrated to obtain a plurality of features. Each feature is limited at a searching condition. A plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature. Whether a data volume of the searched data is higher or lower than a predetermined range is determined. If the data volume is higher than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is reduced according to the features. If the data volume is lower than the predetermined range, the data volume of the searched data is increased according to the features. A correlation between the features and the event is analyzed according to the searched data.

According to another embodiment, a system for analyzing data is provided. The system includes a database, a user interface, an arithmetic unit and an analysis unit. The user interface is for receiving a plurality of queries for an event from the user. The arithmetic unit is connected between the database and the user interface for integrating the queries to obtain a plurality of features. Each feature is limited at a searching condition. A plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature. If the data volume is higher than a predetermined range, the arithmetic unit reduces the data volume of the searched data according to the features. If the data volume is lower than the predetermined range, the arithmetic unit increases the data volume of the searched data according to the features. The analysis unit is connected between the database and the arithmetic unit for analyzing a correlation between the features and the event according to the searched data.

The above and other aspects of the invention will become better understood with regard to the following detailed description of the preferred but non-limiting embodiment (s). The following description is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a system for analyzing data.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method for analyzing data.

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of several items of data.

FIGS. 4A to 4C are schematic diagrams of three queries for searching factors affecting a particular feature.

FIG. 5 is an integration schematic diagram of the queries of FIGS. 4A to 4C.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data.

FIG. 7 is another schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data.

FIG. 8 is another schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data.

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of increasing the data volume of the searched data.

FIG. 10 is another schematic diagram of increasing the data volume of the searched data.

In the following detailed description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed embodiments. It will be apparent, however, that one or more embodiments may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are schematically shown in order to simplify the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIG. 1, a system 100 for analyzing data is shown. The system 100 is for analyzing megadata and performing data sensor mining to find out major factors affecting a particular event. For example, in the wafer manufacturing process, the conformity rate is affected by many factors. In order to find out the major factors affecting the conformity rate, a number of sensors, such as temperature sensors or pressure sensors, are disposed on the apparatus. Major factors affecting the conformity rate can be obtained through data sensor mining and used as a basis for the settings of the apparatus. Similarly, in other application fields, the 100 for analyzing data can perform data sensor mining on students' various data to obtain major factors affecting their marks in mathematics. Or, when the revenue from e-commerce increases dramatically, data sensor mining can be performed on various business data to find out major factors.

The system 100 for analyzing data includes a database 110, a user interface 120, an arithmetic unit 130 and an analysis unit 140. The database 110 is for storing various types of data, and can be realized by such as a memory, a hard disc, a cloud storage device, a memory card or an optical disc. The user interface 120 is for a user to input various types of information and can be realized by such as a keyboard or a touch screen. The arithmetic unit 130 connected between the database 110 and the user interface 120 is for performing a data computing procedure or a determination procedure. The analysis unit 140 connected between the database 110 and the arithmetic unit 130 is for performing an analysis procedure or a determination procedure. The arithmetic unit 130 and the analysis unit 140 respectively can be realized by an integrated circuit (IC), a circuit board or a storage medium storing a plurality of programming codes. The arithmetic unit 130 and the analysis unit 140 can be realized by two independent units or can be integrated into one unit.

When data volume is huge, data sensor mining will become very difficult. The process of data sensor mining performed on a large volume of data by the system 100 is disclosed below with an accompanying flowchart.

Referring to FIG. 2, a flowchart of a method for analyzing data is shown. In an embodiment, the database 110 stores a large volume of data. The user interface 120 is for the user to input a plurality of queries for an event to find out major factors affecting the event. Referring to FIG. 3, a schematic diagram of several items of data is shown. Each item of data records the contents of features N1 to N10. In another embodiment, the data can be denoted in the form of tree chart or radar chart. For example, when one user wants to inquire major factors causing dramatic increase in the revenue of e-commerce, this user can input features such as “Commodity Price” and “Place of Purchase”, and further limit the feature “Commodity Price” at the searching condition “More Than $1000” and limit the feature “Place of Purchase” at the searching condition “Taipei City”. When another user wants to inquire major factors causing dramatic increase in the revenue of e-commerce, this user can input features such as “Weather” and “Print Ads Amount”, and further limit the feature “Weather” at the searching condition “Rainy” and the feature “Print Ads Amount” at the searching condition “More Than $300,000”. The queries can be inputted by the same user or by different users. The queries are stored in the database 110.

In step S110, the arithmetic unit 130 integrates a plurality of queries for an event stored in the database 120 to obtain a plurality of searched features. Referring to FIGS. 4A to 4C, schematic diagrams of three queries for the factors affecting a particular feature N10 are shown. In the first query as indicated in FIG. 4A, feature N1 and N2 are respectively limited at searching conditions Ra1 and Ra2. In the second query as indicated in FIG. 4B, features N1, N2 and N3 are respectively limited at searching conditions Rb1, Rb2 and Rb3. In the third query as indicated in FIG. 4C, feature N4 is limited at searching condition Rc4.

Referring to FIG. 5, an integration schematic diagram of the queries of FIGS. 4A to 4C is shown. The arithmetic unit 130 integrates three queries of FIGS. 4A to 4C to obtain features N1, N2, N3, and N4. The features N1, N2, N3, and N4 are respectively limited at searching conditions R1, R2, R3, and R4. In an embodiment, the queries can be integrated through the union of all features and any feature used in at least one query is selected. In another embodiment, the queries can be integrated through the intersection of all features and any feature used in all queries is selected. Besides, the first query and the second query both contain feature N1, and the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 can be a union of searching conditions Ra1 and Rb1. In another embodiment, the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 can be an intersection of the searching conditions Ra1 and Rb1. In an embodiment indicated in FIG. 5, the features N1, N2, N3 and N4 are integrated as a union thereof, and the searching conditions R1, R2, R3 and R4 are integrated as a union thereof. A plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database 120 according to the searching conditions R1, R2, R3 and R4 of the features N1, N2, N3 and N4 respectively.

In step S120, the arithmetic unit 130 determines whether a data volume of the searched data is higher or lower than a predetermined range. If the data volume is higher than the predetermined range, the method proceeds to step S130. In step S130, a data shrink procedure is performed. If the data volume is lower than the predetermined range, the method proceeds to step S140. In step S140, a data expand procedure is performed. If the data volume falls in the predetermined range, the method proceeds to step S150. The predetermined range is determined according to the computing capability of the system 100, and shall not go beyond the limit of the computing capability. For example, the predetermined range is between 10,000 to 20,000 items of data.

In step S130, the data volume of the searched data is reduced according to the features. Different methods can be used in step S130 to reduce the data volume, and details of these methods are disclosed below.

In an embodiment, the arithmetic unit 130 can eliminate some features to reduce the data volume according to the number of times of each of the features used in the queries. Referring to FIG. 6, a schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data is shown. As indicated in FIG. 5, features N1, N2, N3 and N4 are used in the queries. In the first query to the third query, the features N1 and N2 both are used twice, and the features N3 and N4 both are used once. Therefore, the features N3 and N4 having a lower frequency of use are eliminated and the features N1 and N2 are selected. Since only the searched data satisfying the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 or the searching condition R2 of the feature N2 are left, the data volume is effectively reduced.

In another embodiment, the arithmetic unit 130 can narrow the searching condition to reduce the data volume. Referring to FIG. 7, another schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data is shown. The arithmetic unit 130 can narrow the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 as the searching condition R1′. For example, the searching condition “More Than $300,000” can be narrowed as “More Than $500,000”, such that the data volume of the searched data can be effectively reduced.

In another embodiment, the arithmetic unit 130 can sample the searched data to reduce the data volume. Referring to FIG. 8, another schematic diagram of reducing the data volume of the searched data is shown. When the data volume is 3/2 times of the average of the predetermined range, the searched data can be sampled at a ratio of 2/3. The sampling procedure is performed as follows. Only 2/3 of the data satisfying the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 are sampled, and the remaining 1/3 are abandoned. Only 2/3 of the data satisfying the searching condition R2 of the feature N2 are sampled, and the remaining 1/3 are abandoned. Only 2/3 of the data satisfying the searching condition R3 of the feature N3 are sampled, and the remaining 1/3 are abandoned. Only 2/3 of the data satisfying the searching condition R4 of the feature N4, 2/3 are sampled, and the remaining 1/3 are abandoned. In FIG. 8, only the ticked items are sampled, and the unticked items are abandoned. Thus, the data volume can be reduced to be 2/3 of the original data volume, and fall in the predetermined range.

After step S130, the data shrink procedure is completed and the method returns to step S120 to repeat the determination procedure.

In step S140, the arithmetic unit 130 increases the data volume of the searched data according to the features. Different methods can be used in step S140 to increase the data volume, and details of these methods are disclosed below.

In an embodiment, the arithmetic unit 130 can elevate the levels of the features to increase the data volume. Referring to FIG. 9, a schematic diagram of increasing the data volume of the searched data is shown. For example, the feature N1, such as “Print Ads Amount”, is limited at the searching condition R1 “More Than $300,000”. The arithmetic unit 130 can elevate the feature N1 “Print Ads Amount” to the feature N1′ “Various Ads amount”. Since any TV ads amounts larger than $300,000 will be included, the data volume of the searched data is effectively increased.

In another embodiment, the arithmetic unit 130 can expand the searching condition to increase the data volume. Referring to FIG. 10, another schematic diagram of increasing the data volume of the searched data is shown. The arithmetic unit 130 can expand the searching condition R1 of the feature N1 as the searching condition R1″. For example, the searching condition “More Than $300,000” is expanded as “More Than $100,000”. Thus, the data volume of the searched data can be effectively increased.

After step S140, the data expand procedure is completed, and the method returns to step S120 to repeat the determination procedure.

In step 150, the analysis unit 140 analyzes a correlation between the features and the event according to the searched data. The analysis unit 140 can analyze the correlation between the features and the event according to the searched data to obtain the data sensor of relevant events by using a machine learning method such as adaptive boosting algorithm, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO), or stepwise regression.

In response to the coming of the megadata age, the above embodiments are capable of quickly mining the features that can be used as data sensors through the integration of queries and reducing the complexity in the analysis of megadata. Furthermore, the data shrink procedure can be used to effectively avoid the data volume being too large to handle. Moreover, the data expand procedure can be used to obtain a sufficient volume of data and increase the precision in data sensor mining.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed embodiments. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for analyzing data, comprising: integrating a plurality of queries for an event stored in a database to obtain a plurality of features, wherein each feature is limited at a searching condition, and a plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature; determining whether a data volume of the searched data is higher or lower than a predetermined range; reducing the data volume of the searched data according to the features if the data volume is higher than the predetermined range; increasing the data volume of the searched data according to the features if the data volume is lower than the predetermined range; and analyzing a correlation between the features and the event according to the searched data.
 2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the data volume of the searched data comprises: eliminating some of the features according to a number of times of each of the features used in the queries.
 3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the data volume of the searched data comprises: narrowing some of the searching conditions.
 4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of reducing the data volume of the searched data comprises: sampling the searched data.
 5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of increasing the data volume of the searched data comprises: elevating levels of some of the features.
 6. The method according to claim 1, wherein the step of increasing the data volume of the searched data comprises: expanding some of the searching conditions.
 7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the queries are inputted by at least two users.
 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein two of the queries are inputted by the same user.
 9. A system for analyzing data, comprising: a database; a user interface for receiving a plurality of queries for an event from a plurality of users; an arithmetic unit connected between the database and the user interface for integrating the queries to obtain a plurality of features, wherein each feature is limited at a searching condition, a plurality of items of searched data are obtained from the database according to respective searching condition of each feature, and the arithmetic unit reduces a data volume of the searched data according to the features if the data volume is higher than a predetermined range, and increases the data volume of the searched data according to the features if the data volume is lower than the predetermined range; and an analysis unit connected between the database and the arithmetic unit for analyzing a correlation between the features and the event according to the searched data.
 10. The system according to claim 9, wherein the arithmetic unit eliminates some of the features to reduce the data volume of the searched data according to a number of times of each of the features used the queries.
 11. The system according to claim 9, wherein the arithmetic unit narrows some of the searching conditions to reduce the data volume of the searched data.
 12. The system according to claim 9, wherein the arithmetic unit samples the searched data to reduce the data volume of the searched data.
 13. The system according to claim 9, wherein the arithmetic unit elevates levels of some of the features to increase the data volume of the searched data.
 14. The system according to claim 9, wherein the arithmetic unit expands some of the searching conditions to increase the data volume of the searched data.
 15. The system according to claim 9, wherein the queries are inputted by at least two users.
 16. The system according to claim 9, wherein two of the queries are inputted by the same user. 